WHO Germs lurk in many foods

07/04/2015

According to World Health Organization (WHO) estimates, around two million people die every year from infections caused by food and contaminated drinking water. In this country too dangerous germs lurk in many foods. World Health Day on April 7 will focus on "food safety".

Health topic of global relevance
The World Health Organization (WHO) draws attention to a global public health theme on World Health Day on 7 April each year. This year, the topic of "food safety" is the focus of global activities. According to WHO estimates, around two million people die each year from infections caused by food and contaminated drinking water. In addition, bacteria, viruses, parasites or chemical substances in food are responsible for over 200 diseases - from diarrhea to cancer. However, dangerous germs do not only play a role in developing countries, but also in Europe hundreds of thousands suffer from it every year. For example, it was reported last month that there are still too many germs present in poultry meat in this country. Some of them may cause symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle aches, joint pain, diarrhea or abdominal pain after consumption.

Europe has strict hygiene regulations
Food safety depends on various factors along the food chain. Both manufacturers and processors as well as consumers must observe hygiene rules in order to bring "safe" food to the table. Also important is regulatory control. Europe has strict hygiene regulations and a rapid alert system for risky foods. However, Hilde Kruse, who is responsible for the WHO Regional Office for Food Safety Europe, explained to dpa news agency that such systems have so far only indicated "the tip of the iceberg" worldwide. If the number of cases increases in one country, this may indicate more accurate controls - and not necessarily more disease. "We do not have numbers that show whether there is an increase or a decrease worldwide," says Kruse. "But we believe the risks are rising."

No continent is safe from pathogenic germs
Although there are stricter rules here, safe from pathogenic germs is not a continent. In 2013 alone, more than 310,000 cases of bacterial food-borne infections were reported by the EU and the European Economic Area (EEA) - 322 ended fatally. "Hygiene problems are everywhere in the world," says Kruse. "Even in the most advanced countries." For example, water quality, which is important for food safety, is not the same everywhere in Europe. "In low-income and middle-income countries of the WHO European Region, ten diarrhea deaths per day can be attributed to inadequate water quality, sanitation and hygiene," said WHO expert Oliver Schmoll.

Germany is not immune from outbreaks
Germany, too, is not immune to outbreaks, as the 2011 EHEC epidemic showed. This was the worst outbreak of an infectious disease in Germany for decades. The infection, which is accompanied by symptoms such as watery, bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever, nausea and vomiting, may be associated with sequelae such as kidney pain, increased liver function and urine poisoning. Thousands of cases were reported nationwide and over 50 patients died. After scientists had long searched for the causes, it finally turned out that probably imported from Egypt fenugreek seeds from which sprouts were bred, triggers were. "All kinds of food can be involved in outbreaks," says Kruse.

"Five Keys to Safe Food"
Under the motto "Food safety: from the farm to the plate" the WHO warns to do more for the topic. In order to support consumers in the handling and preparation of food in particular, WHO has issued five recommendations for action under the title "Five Keys to Safe Food". It's about keeping clean, separating raw and cooked food, thoroughly heating food, storing it at safe temperatures, and using safe water and untreated ingredients. Kruse also pointed out that he did not cut the tomato and cucumber on the same board where the raw chicken used to be. "So the bacteria are transferred from the poultry to the lettuce," said the expert. "This is a very common problem all over the world." (Ad)